News Flash

The PSA has been involved in extensive discussions with government officials over the successor to the 2006 Enterprise Agreement .

To date these discussions have been on a "without prejudice" basis and are on the understanding that details are not published until agreement is reached.

This allows for progress in that there can be frank and open discussions and full exchange of views. In discussions PSA can present a full rationale and reasons.

For Health Professionals the PSA has asked for a separate schedule to a Parity Enterprise Agreement.

Last week the negotiators tabled an "Allied Health Classification Structure Draft & Confidential Working Paper" on the basis that it had no formal status, but allowed for consideration of options.

The PSA called a meeting of the "Allied Health member's focus group" to explain this paper & to seek feedback. This was held on Monday 9/11/09. The next day, PSA met with government negotiators and discussed improvements to the working paper. The PSA will be meeting again with members focus group on Wednesday 18 th November at 5 pm.

If Health Professional Worksites, not represented on the PSA focus group, would like a representative to attend that meeting, please contact Dolly Costello on dlc@cpsu.asn.au  ph. 82053244 or Sue Cummins sc@cpsu.asn.au  ph 82053260 or Ian Peak on ian@cpsu.asn.au ph. 82053288

While details of negotiations are by their very nature confidential, issues that have been proposed by the PSA to improve conditions for Health Professionals include,(but are not limited to) -

• Improved Career and Salary structure for Health Professionals

• Separate schedule for Health Professionals in the Enterprise Agreement

• Easier progression between levels, especially from Level one to Level 2.

• Increased overtime rates

• No discounting of overtime (PO2 & above)

• Increased penalty rates

• Increased On Call rates

• Increased Recreational Leave for shift workers and those on-call and regularly called back to work

• Professional Development Leave

• Increase minimum break between shifts

• Higher Duty pay whenever performing work at a higher level

• Improved Special Leave With Pay for family responsibilities

• Improved assistance for study leave

• Allowance for additional Qualifications

• Definitions for unreasonable workloads

• Rights to Private Practice

PSA is focusing on achieving an outcome which, as a package, gives members a good result.

PSA WORKING FOR ALL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

13 November 2009